Selective card-index system



I. W. LITCHFIELD.

SELECTIVE CARD INDEX SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED OCT-24, 1917.

1,382,004, Patented June 21, 1921.

I I 7' 2x 79 I wmmivwmmw 1 22 20 22 z l 7 Q) c-' f 23 O O o O o o o o o O O Z 7% ZdicA/Q'eld $13 Mil/0 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ISAAC w. LITGHFIELD, or" wnsnme'rolv, nrs'mrcr or COLUMBIA.

SELECTIVE oARn-Inmx SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

atented June 21,1921,

Application filed October 24, 1917. Serial No. 198,348.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, IsAAo W. LITCHFIELD, a citizen of the United States of America,

and a resident of- Washington, District of mum of time and effort, classified groups of cards may be readily selected and, if desired,

displaced for', inspection, and whereby is permitted the use of a relatively large numher of classified groups, a more or less complex classification, and the placing of single 'cards in a plurality of classified groups.

Stated broadly, the invention comprises a selectivecard-index system having a series of cards so constructed, as by the provision of apertures or notches therein, as to pro ing longitudinally of the series. In the form shown, the notches are provided in the edge of the cards to form longitudinally-extending grooves in the edges thereof. As many grooves are provided as there are classified groups and thecards of each group project into a separate groove devoted to thatgrou'p. Corresponding notches are in substantial alinement when the cards are/in' exact aline- 'ment, but the cards of each classified group have their, notches corresponding to the groove devoted to that group slightly offset with respect tothe corresponding notches of theremaining cards, so that the cards of said group project into said groove. Means may be provided for engagement in said groove or grooves for displacing the cards which project into the selected groove, such ing the cards of the corresponding group displacementbringing the notches of all the cards corresponding to the selected groove into exact alinement and therefore displacwith respect to the remaining cards of the series so that the cards of said group may be readily selected. p Said grooves may be placed in either one or both horizontaledges of the series of cards tical edge only.

or one or both vertical edges of the series i cordance with the same classification, or the grooves in the several edgesmay be used for the selection of groups made in accordance with differentclassifications, Whe e the grooves are only provided in a horizo tal or vertical edge or edges'of the series, the vertical or horizontal edges respectively of the cards may be cut to provide tabs for convenience of manipulation or inspection of 7 the selected cards, or such tabs maybe used for the purpose of subclassification; The series of cards may be positioned within a container permitting a lateral displacement of the cards, and to facilitate the inspection of I the selected groupof' cards after .displacement, means may be provided withinthe container for-projecting the displaced cards of the selected group fromthe series, as by tilting or elevating the same. I vide one or more passages or grooves extend- The iHVQIltlOIL-iS- capable-of receiving" a "tration only and. is notto be construed as 'a definition of the limits 'of the invention, reference being had to the appended claims for I that purpose. I

Referring to said drawing, wherein the J '95 same characters of reference designate corresponding parts in the several figures,-

Figure 1 is a plan viewof a container pro videdlwith a series of cards constructed in accordance w1th the present invention; Fig. 21s a transverse'section through the container showing, iu' full lines, aselected card displaced. and, in dotted lines, said card elevated bymeanswithin the container Fig.3 is a fragmentary section of the coni tainer showing a detail of the card-elevating means;

F ig.-4 is a perspective view of a device for j displacing-the cards;

F ig. 5 is a perspective view of a card wherein the notches are provided in a ver- .Referring in dean to said drawing, Ides 85 variety of mechanicalexpressions two'of ignates a series of cards of any suitable size,

shape and construction, and designed to receive any desired subject-matter. In the example chosen for illustration, it is assumed that this series of cards comprises three classified groups. In the form shown, each of the cards is provided in its upper edge with three notches of any suitable shape, designa-ted 2, 3 and 4;, respectively, the corresponding notches in the several cards being in substantial alinement. When thecards are in exact alinement, these notches, as shown in 'Fig. 1, provide grooves extending longitudinally of the series, said grooves being designated 5, 6 and 7, respectively. All cards of classified group A have their notches 2 offset with respect to the notches 2 in the remaining cards which go to make up groove 5, so that all cards of this group project into said groove, as clearly shown in Fig. 1. Similarly all cards of groups B and C have their spective grooves, as also clearly shown in Fig. 1.

While the projection of all cards of a classified group into the corresponding groove constitutes a ready means for selectmg the cards of such group, means may be I provided for displacing the cards of the several groups by engagement in any'of said grooves, said means being designed to bring all of the notches corresponding to. a selected groove into exact alinement. Any

suitable means may be employed for this 'purpose. In the form shown in Fig. 4, a device suitable for use with grooves in the edges of the cards is illustratedm In this co'nstructionfa pairof plates 8 are bent in opposite directions along lines parallel to'- their outer edges so as to provide main diverging portion's9 and outer parallel portions 10. Said portions .10 are normally maintained in' 'face' engagement by a spring interposed between the portions 9, which spring may conveniently take the form of a bow spring 11 riveted to the two plates.

Said plates may be hinged together along I said lines of bending in any suitable way.

In the form shown, the hinge is provided by the use of a pair of screws 12 mounted in one of said plates and loosely engaging in elongated apertures in the other of said over to prevent disengagement of the plates.

' lhe1outer portions 10 of the plates 8, when 1n face engagement, must have a combined thickness no greater than the distance between the projecting portions of the cards of a classified group, and the oppdsitewall of the groove constituted by the corresponding notches in the remaining cards, and preferably have aslightly less combined width.

Said outer portions 10, maintained in face contact by the interposed spring, as shown in Fig. 4, may be engaged in any of the grooves 5, 6 or 7, and the portions 9 of said plates 8 then moved toward each other against the tension of the spring 11; the portions 10 are thereby separated (see Fig, 2) and this separation, by engagement with the projecting cards, brings all of thenotches in the series of cards corresponding to the selected groove into exact alinement, In order to prevent injury to the cards, the distance between the outer edges of the por tionslO when the portions 9 are in engagement or at their innermost limit of movement should be no greater than'the .width of the notches in the edges of the cards. Such bringing of all of thenotches corresponding to a given groove'into exact alinement produces a displacement of all cards which projected into said groove, said dis-. placement causing all of the cards of the particular classified group to project laterally from the series, as shown at 13, Fig. 2.

The .series of cards may be mounted in any suitable container, that shown on the drawing comprising a drawer 14 of usual construction provided with a block orplate 15, which, if desired, may be inclined 'and which is shown as slidable on ametal strip 16 and carrying the usual spring-pressed locking device 17 for engagement in any one of a. series of apertures 18 provided in said strip. Said container may be and prefer ably is made interiorly of a width sufficient H to allow the lateral displacement of the cards. therein in the manner above described, 11. 6., said container is made of an interior width somewhat in excess of the width of the cards plus the extent of displacement.

Means. are also preferably provided. for projecting the displaced cards from the series, as by elevating ortilting the same, so as to facllitate their inspection. Any suitablemeans may be employed for this purpose. In the embodiment of the invention shown on the drawing, a plate 19 is positioned at one side ofthe container and extends throughout the length thereof, being provided, as shown, with a flange 20 projecting inwardly from its lower edge, the width of said flange being no greater, and

preferably somewhat less, than the extent of lateral displacement of the cards of a f classified group frdm. the series'in themanplates, said screws being suitably headed ner above described. At its upper edge, said plate 19 is provided with any suitable means container, any suitable means being pro vided for guiding and limiting the extent of movement of-said plate. In the form shown,

a pair of angle pieces 22 are suitably secured, one at each end of the container, in a position to overlap the face of'plate 19 and guide it in its reciprocating movements, said angle pieces by their engagement with flange 20 also operating as a stop to limit the upward movement of said plate. The friction provided by'the engagementof plate 19 with'the wall of the container and the angle pieces 22 may be relied upon for re-- taining said plate in its raised position, or any suitable spring detent may be provided for retaining said plate-in its. raised positron. When means are provided as described for raising the displaced cards, the series of cards is maintainedabov the botside of the container. 3

tom of the container, so that when displaced they W111 overlie the flange 20, by any suitable'means as strips 23, of a thickness equal to' or greater than the thickness of flange 20, suitab ly secured to the bottom of the container.

In operation, the series of cards are posi- 't1oned within the container with onelateral edge n engagement with the corresponding vided for elevating the displaced cards, the lateral edge of eachcard opposite such elevatmg means is normally in engagement with the corresponding side of the container.

' The cards being then in exact alinement, the

grooves provided by the notches have the appearance shown in. Fig. 1, all-cards of each classified group projecting into the groove devoted to such group and provided by the corres onding notches in the remaining cards. ssume, now, that it is desiredto'inspect all cards in group A. The operator may take the manipulative means comprising the two. plates 8 and, in their relative position shown in Fig. 4, insert the portions 10 thereof into. groove 5 between the projecting cards of class A and the oppo site wall of said groove. The portions 9 of said plates are thenmoved toward each other, correspondingly separating portions 10 of said plates into the position shown in Fig. 2. This operation positively retains all of the cards not embraced in group A Y with their lateral edges against the inner face of the side of thecontainer andposi- .tively displaces all of the cards of group A until the notches exact alinement with the notches 2. in the L therein are, brought into the series of cards opposite the card-elevating means, or the cards may be held against tipping by placing the thumb thereon.

he displacement of the cards of group When means are pro-- A causes all cards of said group to project over flange 20 of plate 19. By raising said plate, all cards of this group maybe elevated or tipped into the dotted line position shown in Fig. 2, whereby they may be readily inspected.

In place of notches in the horizontal edges of the cards, the notchesmay be provided in the vertical edges of the cards as shown in Fig. 5, in which case the container must be made of skeleton construction to permit inspection or insertion of the manipulative means into the grooves provided by the notches in the vertical edges of the cards. Or notches may be provided in both vertical and horizontal edges of the cards. Where notches are provided only in the lateral edges of the cards, additional means for elevating the selected cards becomes unnecessary. V

It will therefore be seen that a selective card-index system has been provided whereby all cards of a selected group maybe readily identified and, if desired be positively displaced with respect to the remaining cards of the series, while positively retaining all of the remaining cards in their normal position, which system admits of the division of the cards into a large number of classified groups, which classification may be-more or less complex, and permits of the placing of a singlecard in more than one cup. Furthermore, it will be perceived that the system is simple in construction and -inexpensive to manufacture, and permits a ready selection of all cards of a desired. group with a minimum expenditure of time and efi'ort.

While the embodiment illustrated on the drawing has been described with consid- 105 erable particularity, it is to he expressly understood that the invention is not to be restricted thereto, for it is capable of re: ceiving, a variety of mechanical expressions, some of which will readily suggest them- 110 selves to those skilled in the art, while certain features thereof are capable of use without other features thereof. Furthermore, while the invention is illustrated as applied to cards in the usual drawer of a card-index 115 cabinet, it is -to be understood that the cards maybe kept in their original container and the selection performed by inspection or in any suitable manner. Reference is therefor to be had to the claims hereto appended for a definition of thelimits of the invention. What is claimed is i 1. 'In a) selective card-index system, a series of cards provided with notches in sub-- stantial alinement, all cards of a classified group having their notches oifset with respect to'the'notches of the remaining cards whereby the cards of said group project into the groove constituted by the notches in the remaining cards.

series of cards provided wigsh I5" v In a selective card-index system, a series of cards comprising a plurality of classified groups, each of said cards being provided with as many notches in the edge thereof as there are classified groups, theccorrespondingnotches of all of said cards being in substantial alinement, and all the cards of each group having a corresponding notch offset with respect to the alined notches of the other cards whereby the cards of each group project into one of the grooves constituted by alined notches in the remaining cards.

3. In a selective card-index. system, a notches in substantial alinement, all car of a; classified group having their notches offset with.

respect to the notches of the remaining cards whereby the cards ofsaid group project into the groove constituted bythe notches in the remaining cards, and manipulative means for engagement in said groove and operative to positivelybring all of said notches into "actual alinement whereby to displace the cards of said group with respect to the remaining cards. e i

'4. In a selective card-index system, a series of cards comprising 'a plurality of classified groups, each-ofsaid cards being provided with as many notches in the edge thereof as there are classified groups, the correspondingnotches of all of said cards being in substantial alinement, and allthe of each group having a corresponding A 9 j r notch offset with respect to the allned r notch I of the other cards whereby the cards of each groupproject into one of the grooves constituted by 'alined notches in the remaining'cards, and manipulative'means for engagement in any of said grooves and opera- '40 tive 'to bring all of the corresponding notches into! actual alinement whereby to displace the cards ofthe selected group with respect to the remaining cards.

" 5. In a selective card-index system, a series of cards provided with notches in substantial alinement, all cards. of a classified group having their notches offset with re- ;spect tothe notches of the remaining cards whereby the cards of said group project into the groove constituted by the notches in the I remaining cards, a containerfor said cards permitting lateral displacement of sand cards there n, and manipulatlve means forv engagement insaid groove and operative to displace laterally the cards of said group wlth respect to-the, remaining cards.

6. In a selective card-index system, aseries of cards comprising aplurality ofclassified groups, each of said cards being provided with as many notches in the edge thereof .as there are classifiedgroups, the corresponding notches of all of'sai'd cards being in subgroup having a corresponding notch offset other cards whereby the cards of each group project into one of the grooves constituted by alined notches in the remaining cards, a container for said cards permitting lateral displacement of said .cards therein, and manipulative meansfor engagement in any of said grooves and operative to displace mainingcards, a container for said cards permitting lateral displacement of said cards therein, manipulative means for engagement in said groove and operative to displace laterally the cards of said group with respect to the remaining cards, and means to elevate the displaced cards with respect to the red stantial alinement, and all the cards'of each maining cards.

8. In a selective card-index system, a series of cards comprising a plurality of classified groups, each of said cards being provided with as many notches-in the edge thereof as there are classified groups, the corresponding notches of all of said cards being in substantial alinement, and all the. cards of each group having a corresponding notch offset with'respebt to the alined notches of the other'cards whereby the cards of each group project into one,ofl-the grooves constituted by alined notches in the remaining cards, a container for said cards permitting lateral displacement of said cards therein, manipulative meansfor engagement in any of said grooves and operative to displace laterally the cards of the selected group with respect to the remaining cards, andmeans to elevate the displaced cards with respect to the re maining cards. I

9. In a selectivecard-index system, a

stantial alinement, all cards ofca classified group having their notches ofi:set,with respect to the notches of the remaining cards whereby the cards of said group project llltOx the groove constituted by the notches in the series of cards provided with notches'in subremaining cards. acontainer for said cards permitting lateral displacement of said cards therein, manipulative means vfor engagement 1 in said groove and operative to displace laterally thecards of said groupjwith respect to the remaining cards, and a reciprocating device provided with a flange into operative engagement with which said cards move when displaced laterally.

10. In a selective-card-index system, a series of cards comprising a plurality of classified groups, each of said cards being I provided with as many notches in the edge thereof as there are classified groups, the

' corresponding notches of all of said cards being'in substantial alinement, and all the cards of each group having-a corresponding notch offset with respect to the alined notches of the other cards whereby the cards of each group project into one of the I grooves constituted by alined notches in the remaining cards, a container for said cards permitting lateral displacement of said and operative to displace positively the cards which roject into said groove.

12. n a selective card-index system, a-

series of cards comprising a plurality of classified groups, I said cards being con-" structed at their edges to provide as man groovesextendin longitudinally through 1 of the series. as't ere are oups, all cards of each group -projecting into one of said grooves, and manipulatlve means for 'engagement in any of said coves and operative todisplace positively the cards which project into saldgroov'e I I I v 13. In a selective card-index ,system, a I series, of cards constructed to provide a groove extending a longitudinally of the series, all cardsof a classified group" projecting into said. groove, manipulative means for engagement in said groove and operative to displace positively the cards whlch project into said groove, and means to project the dis laced cards from the series.

'14:. n a selective card-index system, a' series-ofl'cards comprising a plurality of classified groups, said cards being constructed at theiredges to-provide' as many grooves extending longitudinally of the series as there are groups, all cards of each group projecting intoone of said grooves,

f groove and means to cards fr manipulatlve means for engagement in any of said grooves and operative'to displace posi-' tively the cards which roject into I said prO ect the displaced om the series. I y 15'. In a selective card-index system, a

- series of cards provided with,notches insub- I stantial alinemeiit, all cards of a classified.

group havingtheir notches offset. with respect to'the notches of the remaining cards whereby the cards of said group project into the groove constituted by the notches in the remaining cards, and manipulative means to engagement in said groove, said manipulatlve means comprising members adapted to. be separated to displace positively the cards projecting into said groove while positively retaining the remaining card's against dlsplacement.

16. In a selective card-index system, a

series of cards, a container therefor permitting lateral displacement of said cards therein, means to displace laterally all cards of displaced "cards with respect to the remaining cards;

17. In a selective card-index system, a series of cards, a container therefor permitting lateral displacement ofsaid cards therein, means to displace laterally all cards of a.

'a classified group, and means to elevate the classified group, and means-to elevate the displaced cards with respect to the remaining cards comprising a reciprocating device provided with a flange into operative relation with which said cards are displaced.

18. In a selective card-index system, a series of cards constructed at their edges to provide a groove extending longitudlnally of the series, all cards of ,a classified group projecting intosaid groove, and manipulative means for engagement in said groove,

said manipulative means comprising members adapted to be separated to displace positively the (cards projecting into said groove while, positively retaining the remainin cards against displacement.

'19. n a selective card-index system, a series of cards so constructed as to'provide a passage extending through all of the series, all cards of a classified group pro-' jecting into said passage to such a position that they may be. engaged by a displacing device inserted into said passage, andmeans insertible into said passage for positively displacing the cards projecting into. the

Same. j

v 20. In a selective card-index system, a series of cards comprislng a plurality of classified groups, said cards being so constructed 7 as to provide as many passages extending through all of the series as there are classi- I fiedgro'ups, all cards of each group projecting into one of said passages to such a position' that it may be engaged by a dlsplacing device inserted into sald passage, and means insertible into any one of said passages for positively displacing the cards projecting into the same. .i

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification. Y

ISAAC WQLITCHFIELD. 1 

